Peregrine would scarce allow him time to conclude his information.
He ran down to the stable, where his horse was kept ready saddled
for the purpose, and, never doubting that the lady in question
was his mistress, attended by one of her uncle's clerks, mounted
immediately, and rode full gallop after the chaise, which, when
he had proceeded about two miles, he understood from Pipes, had
put up at a neighbouring inn. Though his inclination prompted him
to enter her apartment without further delay, he suffered himself
to be dissuaded from taking such a precipitate step, by his privy
counsellor, who observed, that it would be impracticable to execute
his purpose of conveying her against her will from a public inn,
that stood in the midst of a populous village, which would infallibly
rise in her defence. He advised him therefore to be in wait for
the chaise, in some remote and private part of the road, where
they might accomplish their aim without difficulty or danger. In
consequence of this admonition our adventurer ordered Pipes to
reconnoitre the inn, that she might not escape another way, while
he and the valet, in order to avoid being seen, took a circuit by
an unfrequented path, and placed themselves in ambush, on a spot
which they chose for the scene of their achievement.
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